Planning permission is sought for farm building

A FARM building standing close to a popular Hyde pub would be converted into five homes if planning permission is granted.

And those making the proposal insist they will make sure roosting ground for bats is not lost with the installation of boxes.

GTP Limited, of the High Lane area of Stockport, wants to turn the structure at Hare and Hounds Farm on Werneth Low Road in Gee Cross into residential properties.

They believe it will not impact the area adversely and the plan of one larger and four smaller homes should go ahead.

GTP Limited, of the High Lane area of Stockport, wants to turn the structure at Hare and Hounds Farm on Werneth Low Road in Gee Cross into residential properties

A statement for the application states: “The scheme retains the inherent character of the building and serves to utilise and replace existing openings where possible, along with inserting a limited number of windows and doors into the elevations to ensure that the habitable rooms have adequate natural light.

“The building was last utilised for the purposes of agriculture and is structurally sound.

“The number of dwellings proposed is five in total, comprised of one larger dwelling and four smaller dwellings whose floor areas are below the specified limits, and the submitted ecological reports confirm that the conversions have no impact on any protected species.

“The scope of works proposed to the building is entirely appropriate and in accordance with the relevant policies for this type of scheme.

“The development proposes an entirely acceptable form of residential accommodation at the site, and it is therefore requested that the application be granted.”

Ecological studies found the structure, close to the pub of the same name, is the site of a roost for pipistrelle bats.

But reports believe measures they will put in place will mitigate any disturbance.

They state: “It was concluded that the wall between the agricultural unit and agricultural storage area is likely to be used as a day roost site by low numbers of common pipistrelle bats, with bats roosting within gaps between the concrete blockwork/wall cavity.

“Ideally the section of concrete block wall which supports gaps should be carefully dismantled by hand under the supervision of an ecologist with any bats found re-located to pre-installed bat boxes on site.

“Builders and contractors would be prohibited from handling bats. If the wall is to remain in-situ and simply rendered, gaps will need to be fitted with one way exclusion valves to allow bats to exit but not re-enter, therefore preventing bats from being entombed.

“Such devices can only be used during the summer and early autumn when bats are active and night-time air temperatures exceed 8°C on four consecutive nights.

“It is recommended that four integral Habibat 001 or 003 roosting units should be installed within external walls at a height of at least four metres.

“Such units can be faced with any material to ensure they blend in seamlessly with surrounding masonry or cladding.”

Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee is likely to grant or refuse planning permission but the authority’s environmental heath department has already state it has no objections.